06

Aug

2010

Some firsts.

Posted by Lyn | Comments : (0)

Category : Postcrossing, Received

Tags: , , , ,

I’ve finally got my incoming cards sorted into folders, with the countries alphabetically. It took forever, and I’m way behind in getting the newest ones filed, but it’s a much better system than having 90 albums all over the place. So today I’m sharing with you three cards that have caused me to create new country sections.

From India, this card shows the powders that are thrown during festivals. You buy the colours you want then toss them around, which sounds like 19  kinds of fun.

Tuvalu is an incredibly rare country to get a Postcrossing card from (brag brag).  Considering Postcrossing has just over 199,000 members as of today and only 8 of those members are in Tuvalu, you can see why. This is TV-96, and sent from the account of The Earth Day Tuvalu team – you can read more about it here on the Postcrossing blog.

Finally, from my long time friend Scott comes this card from Rwanda. Scott has been working in Africa for a few months and was kind enough to hunt up a postcard – Thanks Scott!

17

Jun

2010

Kuranda, then and Now.

Posted by Lyn | Comments : (1)

Category : Vintage Cards

Tags: ,

Well not really Kuranda, although I’d love some vintage cards of the place. I mentioned the other day I’d found some cards from Kuranda in my stack of forgotten vintage cards.

Barron Falls 1967

According to the back of this card (which is sadly unused), this photo was taken in March 1967. I love the gold leaf lettering, it’s so chic! The following photograph I took in late March, 2009.

Barron Falls Vista

I assume the postcard photo was taken in early March when the wet season is still roaring. Although it’s possible rainfall is down.

The other card is this one, of the Kuranda Scenic Railway. There’s no year on the back, so I’m assuming it’s also around 1967. I might be wrong. I’m not usually though :P

Scenic Rail Kuranda 1967

It must have been pretty awesome steam training though the rainforest. These days the train is electric, easier to run than a steam train.

AU-80068

If that photo is not in the same place, it’s close enough for me to post as a comparison.

So there you have it, Greetings from Kuranda, late 1960s. Neither card is used, which as I’ve mentioned a lot makes me a little sad. As pretty as mint cards are, I do like to nose around in other people’s lives get a glimpse of earlier lifestyles.

16

Jun

2010

A little of this, a little of that

Posted by Lyn | Comments : (1)

Category : Postcrossing, Received

Tags: , , , ,

It’s been a while since I posted any incoming cards, smacked legs for me. Here’s my most recent postcrossing cards!

GB-143920

This one is from Sophie in the UK and I love love love love love it. This style of fashion illustration is one of my absolute favourites, and i love how dramatic she is on her black background.

PL-95411

From Eveline in Poland – how gorgeous is this? What a view those buildings must have (unless of course it’s an industrial park over the canal…)

TW-126861

From Vicky in Taiwan this colourful illustration of children playing. They’re catching bugs, I love the little girl on the left showing off her loot!

Now we move on to frog cards, my most best favourites (to channel Charlie and Lola for a moment there).

FI-825729

Piyo from Finland sent me these lovely pudgy froggies with a Finnish and a Polish stamp. Too cool (Finnish stamps, for the record, are amazing – I’ll scan some).

AT-55893

This one is from Tanja in Austria. It’s a duplicate, I’ve had it before, but I think this one must be the original kind, as on the back is a scratch off panel to reveal the Prince.

Since I’ve had a mouse plague, I had to take all my first batch of Postcrossing cards out of their album as the nasty little mice had eaten the edges of the album, then crapped all over it. I’m just saying, coz I know you’re interested. Anyways, I might shuffle through and get some Finnish Stamps scanned for you. Because I care.

14

Jun

2010

Five for posting

Posted by Lyn | Comments : (0)

Category : Sent, Swap-Bot

Tags: , , , , ,

Which is like Five for Fighting, which I seem to think is a band? I’m not sure. Maybe I made that up. Five cards going out for Swap Bot today, in two different swaps.

International (Non USA) Postcard Swap
This swap was designed to avoid postcards from the States. There’s nothing wrong with postcards from the states, let me add right now, but the host wanted a bit more of a country mix, which she certainly got.

Sent: International (non US) PC Swap

This one is off to Slovenia, where I started my penpalling with an advert in some Slovenian magazine in 1992. The more you know. I’m not sure if the idea of the swap was to send local cards, but my partner listed buddhas as a thing she likes, so I thought this might suit her. It’s Peace Buddhas in Amsterdam.

Sent: International (non US) PC Swap

This one is off to New Zealand. My partner didn’t have any postcard preferences, but most people I’ve sent the Kuranda Markets card to have really liked it, so touch wood.

This reminds me, I uncovered a stash of vintage cards today while mouse hunting (long story) and two of them are from Kuranda, so expect a post about those soon. Ish. Soonish.

Sent: International (non US) PC Swap

Heading over to Malaysia is this card from the Great Barrier Reef. Couldn’t you just dive in and float forever? My partner here likes the ocean, and UNESCO Heritage sites. Hopefully this covers both likes!

Multiview Postcards #7

This swap was, exactly as it says, for Multiview cards. That is, cards with more than one picture. It’s very hard to send these via postcrossing as most people prefer single view, so it’s nice to be able to share these.

Sent: Multiview PC Swap #7

This one is off to the US, and shows all the capital cities of Australia. I’m quite impressed that there’s only 2 I still need to visit – Perth and Hobart. Though, to be fair, I was only in Brisbane a total of 2 hours. But I was there!

Sent: Multiview PC Swap #7

Also off to the US is this one showing some highlights from Melbourne, and the Crown Casino (NOT a highlight). Phar Lap is awesome, and I’ve visited him every time I’ve been to the museum for ever. Uh, that’s the horse in the middle.

So these are off to their people! Not right now, it’s 11pm and too cold. Tomorrow morning!

30

May

2010

*cough cough sneeze*

Posted by Lyn | Comments : (2)

Category : Postcrossing, Sent

Tags: , , , , , ,

I’ve been laid up with a nasty cold (I’ll pause here for your unprompted sympathy) and therefore haven’t visited a mailbox in a few days. Today I managed to not only dress myself like a proper adult, but to leave the house and so I mailed the following cards.

AU-81898

This one went off to the USA for a homeschooling family who wanted to see some culture. I love sharing our native art with the world, I think it’s spectacular and I was more than happy to send this platypus over to show off a little of our culture.

au-81723

The phrase “I would like to see native animals” in a postcrossing profile always enhappies me, mostly because I buy so damn many native animal cards (I’m a sucker for the cutes). This one is off to the Ukraine.

AU-81928

This one is off to Thailand, with the usual information that these gorgeous beaches can’t be used for swimming. For 6 months out of the year, there’s too many jellyfish and for 12 months a year there’s too many crocodiles. There’s actually a lake set up in Darwin which uses filtered seawater for people to swim in. The filters prevent jellyfish, and it’s too far inland for the crocs to want to play in it. I’m nothing if not long windedly educational.

Also going out today were 4 RAK cards, which I’ll post when they arrive to their various peoples.

I’ll catch you up on the incoming tomorrow, I am fading. FADING. Send soup!

26

May

2010

Did you?

Posted by Lyn | Comments : (2)

Category : Postcrossing, Random Cards, Received, Sent, Swap-Bot

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

HI. I’m just wondering here, did YOU get a postcard from Angela? No? Aww. Sucks to be you*.

The Resting Place

BOOYAH. How awesome is this photo? Almost as awesome as the lady who sent it to me. I want to sit there and watch the world roll by (i enjoy sitting, I’m really rather good at it). The pic is by Stephanie Izzo, and you can read Angies thoughts about her right here.

Another recent arrival which I LOVE came via Swap-Bot for the “I want to get rid of this card!” swap.

Rec'd: I want to get rid of this card

The note on the back says “Nose flute, yuck!” which is why my parter (Young46356) wanted to be rid of the card. Me? I think it’s awesome. It’s a great and expressive shot.

For the “If you ‘Building’ it, they will come” postcard swap, Mejulia sent me this LA Restaurant:

Rec'd: If you "Building" it P/C Swap

Whoa. It’s like the 80s mated with the Jetsons. I don’t know if I love the building or hate it. I am undecided.

Again, more Swap-Bot – this one for the Random Postcard swap.

Rec'd: Random Postcard

This adcard for Powell’s is delicious, it’s a book city! Who doesn’t want to live in a book city! I love the art style, and the travel wear actually really suits it. Okay maybe I’m the only one who likes travel wear.

Outgoing for Postcrossing, this card went off on its merry way to Finland today for someone who wanted “Samples of nature – landscapes, trees, animals etc”. I thought I’d share this sample from the Red Centre.

AU-81377

Yup, that’s why we call it the Red Centre. This range of cards has some gorgeous photos, but the picture quality is very pixelated, which is a shame.

*Shut up Matt.

18

May

2010

Review: Andy and Elliott

Posted by Lyn | Comments : (1)

Category : Review

Tags: , , , , , ,

I like to buy postcard books and packs, simply because they tend to be pretty good value, and they add a nice variety to my stash. So I figured, why not talk about those? So I am. Let’s start with Andy.

andyreview

Title: Andy Warhol: Men.
Price: US$9.99
ISBN: 978-0-8118-4377-5
What you get: 30 standard sized postcards, no image repeats, with a matt finish in a cardboard sleeve.
It has to be said, I’m not really much of a Warhol fan. I tend to think his “best” and most applauded works are a bit over-rated. Having said that, the art works in this pack are pretty interesting, and I hadn’t seen most of them before. As the title suggests, all 30 cards are of men – either drawn, painted or photographed. Out of the 30, 9 include explicit nudity and three are borderline. So for postcrossing, perhaps not the best pack to get as there’s not often an excuse to send a penis to someone.

My favourite cards in this set are the drag queen ones, I think they’re really well photographed. The drawings I could take or leave, but again that’s probably just because I don’t adore Warhol like I probably should.

Overall: Considering that one third are “unsendable” (though of course it depends on what you personally want postcards for, you saucy minx), I would skip this pack. I wouldn’t have bought it if I’d known better what was inside, not because I’m a prude but because of the ones that will sit in my stash for ever.

elliottreview

Title: 50 Postcards – Pictures by Elliott Erwitt
Price: $22.95 RR (got mine half price)

What You Get: 50 A5 sized postcards, 25 different black and white images with a low gloss finish in a flip lid box.

I love these photos very much indeed. From the bizarre to the cheeky, they each have a little shine of fun. The cards are huge, which might be a problem for who you send it to if they store in albums, but they’re gorgeous. Two of each photo means you can keep one and send one (which I’m doing for some of these) and they’re large enough to frame and display if you want to. Beautifully captured moments of life.
Overall: Buy this box. Especially if you’re tired of sending tourist postcards, or if you just enjoy photography. Sadly the image on the top of the box (the little boy on the back of the bike) isn’t actually in the cards but nevermind, these are gorgeous through out and make a unique addition to your stash. Go buy this box!

14

May

2010

One in all in.

Posted by Lyn | Comments : (0)

Category : Postcrossing, Received, Swap-Bot

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

I haven’t SENT a postcard in ages, I’m beginning to wonder if I’ll remember how. However, I hit the mother lode today with incomings!

CN-197735

From China, a hand drawn card in response to the drought over there.

LT-71222

From Lithuania, I think it’s an ad card actually but am not sure.

FI-796639

From Finland. I’m still amazed at how popular Postcrossing is in Finland. I know some people complain about getting “too many” Finnish cards, but I love them, it’s a beautiful country.

ES-75088

And from Spain, this festival photocard, which is lovely to bits.

Swap Bot Haul today was just the one, but it’s a fantastic shot.

Rec'd: Blind Postcard Swap

From Doskie, thank you m’dear. One day I hope to be as much a great photographer as the person who took that shot, who is not named.

Everyone cross your fingers that some of my Postcrossing sent cards arrive soon so I can send some more!

11

May

2010

Artist Profile: Stephanie Izzo

Posted by Angela | Comments : (4)

Category : Artist Profile, General

Tags: , , , ,

While vacationing in New York City, I saw wondrous things! It really is a magical place, full of people and hopes and dreams. It’s also full of bums, trash and hipsters… but that’s not the point.

As my husband and I waited in the airport for our flight to board, we meandered through a few of the shops. In one of the book stores, the first thing that caught my eye was a big, gorgeous 6.5″ by 4″ post card of this photo:

Words cannot describe how I felt. It was simply, gorgeous. The card was big, the picture beautiful… I had to have it.

I also had to have one each of the other 20-ish cards. Upon my return home, I searched for the artist. Her name is Stephanie Izzo and she is amazing! Here are some of the other cards I brought home.

Her photography captures the real essence of the city. The colors, the richness, the glow. Honestly, there’s nowhere like it- and Stephanie knows that.

Check her out at: http://www.stephanieizzo.com

08

May

2010

Catchup!

Posted by Lyn | Comments : (0)

Category : Postcrossing, Received, Sent, Swap-Bot

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Since neither Angela or I wanted to bump the contest post off the top of the page, we refrained from blogging for a bit. This means there’s a TON of backlog for me to post.  The most best fun part of this week was Friday when Papa checked the mail for the first time in about 4 days. I was showered – showered – with mail and it was awesome.

Since there’s so many cards from the past couple of days, I’m just going to lump them all in 2 blocks, so you can see them. As always, close up scans are viewable at my flickr stream. I was going to say “More information available…” but.. there isn’t. I hardly post any info with my cards. Lazy or minimalistic? You decide!

Sent Cards for Postcrossing and Swap-Bot

AU-78752AU-78673AU-78710AU-78672AU-78443AU-78441AU-78440

There was also a repeat of the Barron Falls card from earlier, which you remember because you come here every single day right? Right??

Received Cards from Postcrossing and Swap-Bot

PL-86457UA-27312DE-582750US-674706CA-100217GR-11303Rec'd: Postcard Challenge

And that’s that! I suspect Angie shall have a thing or two to share with you, and unless I have another postcrossing card to send tomorrow, there will be a new vintage card up for your greedy little eyeballs to feast on.

In other news, where the hell did all my stamps go? I just bought some! Sheesh.

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